David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
 | | 12/07/2007 1:41 PM |
| Friday night, February 8, 2007
Dinner the night before the Freeman Bash!
Where do we want to go? Do we do it near the hotel in Rhonert Park?
Do we travel to Santa Rosa? I really enjoyed the parties we have had at Willi's.
I need to know how many people soon in order to make a reservation at a place that will be appropriate.
Here is who has signed up so far:
David/Tricia 2
Tanglenet 2
KPAK 2
WineTex 2
HuDaManG 2
Eric/Teri 2
That's 12 so far.
Plus - pending:
Tom/Kevin 2
Saut 2
HELP!
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10572
| | 12/07/2007 1:57 PM |
| I thought the food was good at Willi's but that room was too small for our rambunctious crowd.  The John Ash room was pretty nice. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/07/2007 2:09 PM |
| Shannon,
I agree 100%. It all depends on how many people sign up. If we just have the 12 of us then Willi's is great. With one more person it is too crowded.
John Ash was a super venue. Not that it is a problem with me but it is on the expensive side and it is not as "casual" as I would like. I know I've looked and looked for someplace else that would be more to my liking but haven't found it yet so John Ash is right up there at the top of my list.
I do know of a place that is in Rhonert Park (where our hotel is) or Peteluma that has been highly recommended by a couple of vintners and restaurant people. I chatted with the owner for a half hour about the possibility of have an event there about a year ago. But my "chat" was down at Bernardus and I have no recollection at the moment what his name is or the name of the restaurant. It's Italian... that's all I remember. I'll do some further checking. | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10572
| | 12/07/2007 2:23 PM |
| | I think we scared them a bit at Willis. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
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| 12/07/2007 2:33 PM |
| | Actually I made a pretty good friend of their manager that night. I've been back a couple of times (including the Healdsburg store) and he has taken very good care of us. | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Thief
Posts:2907
| | 12/07/2007 2:34 PM |
| I enjoyed Willi's but agree that if we get many more people it is noisy and crowded.   Not that there is anything wrong with noisy and crowded!Â
Graziano's - Petaluma sounds interesting...
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits...
ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/07/2007 2:42 PM |
| | Actually that might be the place Karen. | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10572
| | 12/07/2007 3:20 PM |
| Actually I made a pretty good friend of their manager that night.
That's good. Always good to be able to go back to places. | | | |
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hudamang
CALI
Grape Sorter
Posts:212
| | 12/07/2007 5:19 PM |
| Any idea what time we might be doing this? I'll try to leave work early on Friday but can someone tell me the commute time from downtown SF to Santa Rosa? If it's not possible to make it on time, I'll give up my spots for someone who can make it. Regardless, I finally get to see you again David!! You can't hide anymore. It's been too long! In fact, last time you forgot if I was black, white, or yellow. :-P
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/07/2007 5:36 PM |
| ... or whether you're married or not... or what color your car is... or whether you want to be a frickin' lawyer or a fricken' real estate broker... or whether you're 5'8" or 6'8"... Â
San Francisco to Santa Rosa on a Friday night after 3:00pm takes about six hours .  But you will only be going north to Rhonert Park. I assume you are two and in the car pool lane... probably 1.5 hours to go the 45 miles. (Seriously... the absolute worst part of getting to Santa Rosa is the last five miles or so where there is construction and the two lanes get down to about eight feet wide.)
I'll be coming through the same traffic. My suggestion would be to start dinner about 8:00pm to 8:30pm. Those that want to start partying sooner can always meet earlier.
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tanglenet
Oakland, California
Wine Bottler
Posts:3018
| | 12/07/2007 6:14 PM |
| | Petaluma sounds great. It can be an ugly drive on 101. And we will be in the thick of it also. | |
TN posted on Cellartracker
"I drink no more than a sponge." François Rabelais
www.tanglenet.com | |
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scottj
Houston, TX
Grape Fermenter
Posts:552
| | 12/07/2007 6:20 PM |
| scottj for 2 ...
So I guess Willi's is out ... | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9124
| | 12/07/2007 8:37 PM |
| | How about Mirepoix? | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/07/2007 9:01 PM |
| Mirepoix would be absolutely fantastic!Â
We could do a very nice dinner for less than $50 !
BUT  ...
We would take up half the restaurant...Â
which might not be so bad if we started at 8:30pm .
And it is entirely in the wrong direction ... north 15 miles through Santa Rosa.
(Actually that doesn't sound all that bad).
If they would take us it would be GREAT!
Their current Prix Fixe meal includes salad, entree and choice of cheese or dessert for $26!
Hard to believe but check it out!
15 miles? We could do some car pooling. Shall I try? Yes or no?Â
Dan is the connection here.
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9124
| | 12/07/2007 9:22 PM |
| Let's see what they can do for us - I had an absolutely fantastic lunch there a few months back, great place, great food. Not a big fan of late dining, but we could take a nap first if we can't get anything earlier  | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1060
| | 12/08/2007 2:31 AM |
| David,
Kim and I are in for Friday night, as are Linda/Tom, and I know John and Katie plan on coming up on Friday for dinner.
John Ash makes sense if we can snag that room again. That was a killer meal and a great venue!
There is a restaurant in the hotel (Bacchus) that Ed K. has eaten at before and he said it was quite good. At least that way nobody is driving!
I'd be happy to check into that further.
http://www.dtsonoma.com/Dining/index.cfm
Chris
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cassismatt
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:35
| | 12/10/2007 12:20 AM |
| | I would love to attend +1 if there is space. What should I bring? No theme? I could also drive in a car pool... if you don't mind listning to KKSF. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/12/2007 10:18 PM |
| | Well I guess John Ash is where we should go. Anybody know anybody there? | | | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Filler
Posts:1060
| | 12/13/2007 1:23 AM |
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Posted By David Niederauer on 12/12/2007 10:18 PM
Well I guess John Ash is where we should go. Anybody know anybody there?
I'll start working on John Ash for Friday. As a matter of fact I already have...;-) This friends cousin runs the entire establishment, so he'll be assisting us on all fronts. So you did your job David....you roped me into running Friday night as well!!Â
BTW, I'm going to assume if you are staying at the hotel on Friday then you are attending the dinner. Please advise if that's not so. Also, if you are attending the dinner but not staying at the hotel please let me know. I need to start working on a head count for Friday.
Please see the main thread for further info on the John Ash Friday dinner!
Chris
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 12/13/2007 12:48 PM |
| Posted By R8der on 12/13/2007 1:23 AM
BTW, I'm going to assume if you are staying at the hotel on Friday then you are attending the dinner. Please advise if that's not so. Also, if you are attending the dinner but not staying at the hotel please let me know. I need to start working on a head count for Friday.
Please see the main thread for further info on the John Ash Friday dinner!
Chris
Just to be clear... you are addressing the above note to everyone; not just me.
Posted By R8der on 12/13/2007 1:23 AM I'll
start working on John Ash for Friday. As a matter of fact I already
have...;-)Â This friends cousin runs the entire establishment, so he'll
be assisting us on all fronts. So you did your job David....you roped
me into running Friday night as well!! Chris  !
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